Estimate sand or soil volume, weight, bags, and cost for any project.
Complete Guide to Sand & Soil Estimation
Sand and soil are fundamental materials in construction, landscaping, and hardscaping projects. Whether you’re laying a paver patio, filling a sandbox, grading a yard, or preparing a foundation, knowing exactly how much material you need prevents costly over-ordering and project delays.
Our sand and soil calculator provides accurate estimates of volume (cubic yards and cubic feet), weight (tons and pounds), bag count, and cost. Simply enter your area dimensions and depth, choose the material type, and get instant results.
Sand Types and Applications
| Sand Type | Cost/Ton | Grain Size | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mason Sand | $25-$40 | Fine, uniform | Mortar, paver joints, pools |
| Concrete Sand | $20-$35 | Medium, angular | Concrete mix, pipe bedding |
| Play Sand | $30-$50 | Fine, washed | Sandboxes, volleyball courts |
| Fill Sand | $8-$20 | Coarse, varied | Fill, grading, backfill |
| Polymeric Sand | $0.30-$0.50/lb | Fine, treated | Paver joints (hardens) |
| Silica Sand | $25-$60 | Uniform, pure | Sandblasting, filtration |
| Topsoil | $15-$35 | N/A | Gardens, lawns, landscaping |
| Fill Dirt | $5-$15 | N/A | Grading, filling holes |
Coverage Reference Chart
| Depth | 1 Ton Covers (sq ft) | 1 Cubic Yard Covers (sq ft) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 120-150 | 324 | Paver leveling sand |
| 2 inches | 60-75 | 162 | Sandbox, light base |
| 3 inches | 40-50 | 108 | Pool base |
| 4 inches | 30-38 | 81 | Play area |
| 6 inches | 20-25 | 54 | Deep sandbox |
| 12 inches | 10-13 | 27 | Volleyball court |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sand do I need for a patio base?
For a patio base, you typically need a 1-2 inch layer of leveling sand over a 4-6 inch gravel base. For a 10×10 ft patio with 2 inches of sand, you need about 0.62 cubic yards or roughly 0.83 tons of sand.
How much does a cubic yard of sand weigh?
A cubic yard of dry sand weighs approximately 2,600-2,900 pounds (1.3-1.45 tons). Wet sand weighs more, about 3,000-3,400 pounds per cubic yard. The exact weight depends on the sand type and moisture content.
What type of sand should I use for pavers?
Use coarse, sharp sand (concrete sand or mason sand) for the base layer under pavers. For filling joints between pavers, use polymeric sand which hardens when wet and prevents weed growth and ant hills.
How do I calculate sand for a sandbox?
Measure the sandbox length and width, and decide on depth (8-12 inches is standard). Multiply L × W × D (in feet) and divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 6×6 ft sandbox at 12 inches needs 1.33 cubic yards (about 1.8 tons).
What is the difference between fill sand and play sand?
Play sand is washed, screened, and free of contaminants — safe for children. Fill sand is coarser, unwashed, and may contain clay or debris. Fill sand is used for construction and grading. Play sand costs 2-3x more per ton.
How much sand do I need under a pool?
An above-ground pool needs a 2-3 inch sand base extending 1-2 feet beyond the pool wall. For a 24-foot round pool with a 2-inch base, you need about 2.5-3 tons of mason sand.
What is mason sand?
Mason sand (also called masonry sand) is fine, uniform sand used in mortar mixes, as a paver base, and for finishing work. It’s screened and washed for consistency. It’s smoother than concrete sand but coarser than play sand.
How many bags of sand do I need?
A standard 50-pound bag of sand covers about 0.5 cubic feet. For 1 cubic yard (27 cubic feet), you need about 54 bags. For 1 ton of sand, you need approximately 40 fifty-pound bags.
Can I use sand as a building foundation?
Sand alone is not suitable as a foundation. It’s used as a leveling layer over compacted gravel. For building foundations, you need compacted gravel (6-12 inches), then 1-2 inches of sand, then your slab or footer on top.
How deep should sand be under pavers?
The bedding sand layer under pavers should be exactly 1 inch after compaction. Start with 1.25-1.5 inches of loose sand, then screed it level. The sand fills small voids in the gravel base and provides a smooth setting surface.
What is the cheapest type of sand?
Fill sand is the cheapest at $5-$15 per ton. Utility sand costs $10-$20/ton. Concrete sand runs $15-$30/ton. Mason sand costs $20-$40/ton. Play sand is $25-$40/ton. Delivery adds $50-$150 depending on distance.
How much sand do I need for mortar?
Standard mortar mix ratio is 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. For 1 cubic foot of mortar, you need about 0.75 cubic feet of sand. One 94-pound bag of cement mixed with 3 cubic feet of sand makes about 4 cubic feet of mortar.
How do I level sand for pavers?
Set guide pipes (3/4-inch conduit) at the correct height on the gravel base. Pour sand between guides. Drag a straight screed board across the pipes to create a perfectly level surface. Remove pipes and fill the channels.
Is sand good for drainage?
Coarse sand provides decent drainage but not as good as gravel. Fine sand can actually impede drainage. For drainage applications, use coarse sand or a sand-gravel mix. Sand filters are used in septic systems for their filtering properties.
How much sand do I need for a volleyball court?
A regulation beach volleyball court (26×52 ft) needs sand at least 12 inches deep, plus a 6-foot buffer on all sides (38×64 ft = 2,432 sq ft). That’s about 90 cubic yards or approximately 120 tons of sand.
What is polymeric sand?
Polymeric sand contains binding agents that harden when activated with water. It’s used to fill joints between pavers, preventing weed growth, insect intrusion, and erosion. It costs more ($15-$25 per 50-lb bag) but provides much better performance.
How do I compact sand properly?
For best results, moisten the sand slightly before compacting. Use a plate compactor for large areas or a hand tamper for small spots. Compact in 2-inch lifts (layers). The sand should not shift under foot after proper compaction.
Can I mix sand with soil for gardening?
Adding coarse sand to clay soil improves drainage. Use a ratio of 1 part sand to 2 parts soil. Avoid fine sand as it can make clay soil worse. For raised beds, a mix of 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% sand is often recommended.
How much does sand delivery cost?
Sand delivery typically costs $50-$150 for local delivery (within 10-20 miles). Most suppliers require a minimum order of 1-5 tons. Bulk pricing is usually $15-$40 per ton, making delivery much cheaper than buying bags for large projects.
What is silica sand used for?
Silica sand is used in sandblasting, glass manufacturing, water filtration, artificial turf infill, golf course bunkers, and as a top dressing for lawns. It has uniform grain size and high purity. It’s not typically used for construction bases.
How do I prevent sand from washing away?
Use edging or borders to contain sand. For paver joints, use polymeric sand. Grade the surface for proper drainage. Install a geotextile fabric between gravel and sand layers. Maintain proper slope (1/4 inch per foot) for water runoff.
Can I use beach sand for construction?
Beach sand is generally not suitable for construction. It contains salt (which corrodes steel), has rounded grains (weaker bonding), and may contain shells and organic matter. Construction requires washed, graded sand with angular particles.
How much sand for a horseshoe pit?
A regulation horseshoe pit is 3×6 feet with 4-6 inches of sand or clay. You need about 0.33-0.67 cubic yards of sand per pit (two pits per game). That’s roughly 0.5-1 ton of sand total.
What is the difference between sharp sand and soft sand?
Sharp sand (builder’s sand) has angular particles, better for concrete, mortar, and drainage. Soft sand (plastering sand) has rounder particles, better for rendering and fine mortar work. Sharp sand provides more structural strength.
How long does a sand base last under pavers?
A properly installed sand base lasts 15-25+ years. The key is proper gravel sub-base (4-6 inches, compacted), correct sand thickness (1 inch), and good edge restraints. Polymeric joint sand reduces maintenance needs.
Can I reuse old sand?
Clean, uncontaminated sand can be reused for fill or base material. Sand that has been mixed with cement, contaminated with oil, or contains organic matter should be disposed of properly. Screen old sand to remove debris before reuse.
How much sand do I need for artificial turf?
Artificial turf typically requires 1-2 pounds of infill sand per square foot. For a 500 sq ft lawn, you’d need about 500-1,000 pounds (10-20 bags of 50 lbs). Use silica sand or specialized turf infill for best results.
What is decomposed granite vs sand?
Decomposed granite (DG) is crushed granite rock that compacts into a firm surface. It’s better for pathways and driveways than sand because it locks together. DG costs $30-$50/ton vs $15-$30/ton for sand. Both are permeable.
How do I store sand on-site?
Store sand on a flat surface with good drainage. Cover with a tarp to prevent rain from saturating it. Keep different sand types separated. Place on plywood or a hard surface to prevent contamination from the ground. Use within a reasonable timeframe.
What sand is used for concrete?
Concrete sand (also called sharp sand or coarse sand) is used in concrete mixes. It has particles ranging from 1/4 inch to fine grain. The standard concrete mix uses 2 parts concrete sand to 1 part cement and 3 parts gravel.